Former long-time Athens resident Martha L. Bratton, 102, died on February 1, 2025, in Columbus. Born January 7, 1923 in Barnesville, Ohio, Martha spent most of her life in Athens with her veterinarian husband Dr. James K. Bratton (deceased) and two sons Jay Bratton, of McHenry, Illinois (deceased) and Larry Bratton of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri.

A 1940 graduate of Barnesville High School, Martha received her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1944 from The Ohio State University. She was a member of the Athens First Presbyterian Church where she served on the Board of Deacons, was a Sunday School teacher, and a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Association. She was a member of P.E.O. DD Chapter and volunteered at the Athens County Red Cross Chapter and O’Bleness Memorial Hospital. Upon moving to Columbus, she and her husband joined the Worthington Christian Church.

Martha loved bright colors and bright outlooks, and encouraged others to share in her joyful, faith-based approach to life. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Debby Bratton and Cheryl Bratton, 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her sister Gene Williams of Dayton, and many doting nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 in the afternoon April 5, 2025, in the multi-purpose room at Worthington Christian Village, 165 Highbluffs Blvd., Columbus.

Burial of cremains will be Saturday April 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Athens Memory Gardens with Rev. Robert Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205 or Athens First Presbyterian Church, 9 N. College St., Athens, OH 45701. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Eaton Register-Herald on Feb. 10, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Martha Bratton

8 Entries

Danielle Daniels

June 3, 2025

You and Mr. Bratton crossed my mind. I was his last caregiver with home care concierge. You was always amazing with the thanksgiving day pilgram hat cake cookies you taught me to make I think of you 2 all the time I still have the Bible you gifted me when Mr. Bratton passed. You 2 are together again.

Julie Schaid

March 1, 2025

Great Aunt Martha was a very special lady and a beautiful soul. She always kept in touch and was very interested in what was going on in our lives. She was generous, gracious, and full of kindness for others. Heaven is a better place with her presence. She will be greatly missed.
Julie & Bill Schaid & family

Ruth.Ann Mayer

February 22, 2025

Martha was so special and a lovely lady a wonderful cook and a very dear friend. I visited her at her place in Columbus several times and she always shared so many good thoughts and good things with me. There should be more women like her in this world, I will miss Martha

Lisa Bolon

February 15, 2025

Martha was truly an “angel” on earth. I joined P.E.O. in 1997 and Martha was one of the first loving women to welcome me into the very special organization. I was 35 years old at the time and Martha took me under her “angel wings” to show me how to be the best hostess for our beautiful meetings. Dr. Bratton was also the sweetest man on this earth. Together their home was filled with so much love. Larry, may God bless and keep you and all of your family as you celebrate an incredible angel who is now in Heaven with her heavenly wings!

Karen Kent

February 12, 2025

Wow there is such a void in my life right now. I have lost my best friend. Larry my condolences to you and your family. Martha and I had a very close relationship for 5 1/2 years. I do know she is at peace with her spouse Jim and her son Jay.

Karen Kent

Pat Romine Setty

February 12, 2025

So sorry Larry to hear of the passing of your beautiful mom. I have such great memories of spending time at your home on Pomeroy Road in Athens. I didn't realize Jay (classmate and neighbor) was deceased. Sorry to read that. God be with you. Prayers . Your old neighbor of many years. Patty

Sharron (Cheri Romine) and Sid Smith

February 11, 2025

At the age of 2 my parents built a house 3 houses from the Brattons and I grew up there. Martha was such a wonderful lady. They reminded me of the family on My Three Sons but with two sons. At that time it was safe and we could play in the back yards in the neighborhood, the Brattons house was as far as we were allowed to go. I remember having a pony and the Brattons let us keep our pony in a small field behind the Veterinary Hospital. So many fond memories with the whole Bratton family.

Kathy Young

February 11, 2025

Harry and I only knew Martha for her last couple years but what an impact she made in that time. So positive and kind. I loved when our doorbell would ring and she’d be there with a darling seasonal gift. I’ll think of her each time I get them out. Bless her heavenly heart. ❤

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